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Man jailed for assault and racial affray

A MAN who “bounced” a man’s head on a road then racially insulted a police officer when he was arrested was jailed for 30 weeks.

Jamie Gibbings, 23, of Nether Lane in Cwmbran, admitted actual bodily harm, theft and racially aggravated affray which took place on June 6 this year.

Outlining the case at Cardiff Crown Court on Thursday, David Pinnell said the defendant had been at a pub in New Inn before walking off with the victim James Jones at around 10pm that night towards Llandegfedd Way.

The two begin to argue and Gibbings pushed Jones to the floor, he said. There was “a period of grappling”, Mr Pinnell said.

Gibbings gained the upper hand and then began to “bounce” Mr Jones’ head on the road, the court heard.

As this took place, his white Samsung phone fell to the ground which Gibbings stole, Mr Pinnell said.

Gibbings ran off when a passing car pulled up and when Mr James realised his phone was missing it was subsequently found with the defendant, the court heard.

The prosecution added Mr James was treated in the Royal Gwent Hospital following the incident, which left him with a cut above his eyebrow.

When Gibbings was arrested, a police officer of Nepalese origin was tasked with searching him.

The court heard Gibbings threatened to “kick off” if his hoodie was removed, calling the officer a racial name and telling him: “You’re not even English”.

The officer felt “speechless and hurt” following the comments, the court heard.

Caroline Rees, defending, said the defendant had a personality disorder and had experienced a difficult upbringing. She added he had pleaded guilty at the first opportunity.

Gibbings was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison for assault, six weeks in prison for theft, to run concurrently, and six weeks for the racially aggravated affray, to run consecutively. Gibbings was also ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge.